Fruit juice plus citrus fiber

Abstract

This invention relates to fruit juice product, and in particular to a citrus juice product which has a high total dietary fiber content. The fiber is derived from citrus fruit and does not have any papery off-flavors or gritty taste. The juice product is not viscous and does not gel.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A beverage comprising: (a) from about 0.5% to about 4.0% citrus fiber having a particle size of less than 50 microns, said fiber being derived from citrus cellulosic materials and having a total dietary fiber content of from 40% to 80%;   (b) from about 5% to about 99.5% juice;   (c) from 0% to about 60% added sweetener; and   (d) the remainder being water.   
     
     
       2. A beverage according to claim 1 additionally comprising from about 0.002% to about 3% flavor. 
     
     
       3. A beverage according to claim 2 consisting of 0.5 to 2% said fiber consisting essentially of: (a) from about 6% to about 45% soluble fiber;   (b) from about 17% to about 74% insoluble fiber;   (c) from about 10 to about 35% carbohydrates selected from the group consisting of fructose, glucose and sucrose;   (d) less than 1% fat; and   (e) from 40% to 80% total dietary fiber.   
     
     
       4. A beverage according to claim 3 wherein said juice is selected from the group consisting of citrus juices, apple juice, pear juice, cranberry juice and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       5. A beverage according to claim 4 wherein said juice is selected from the group consisting of orange juice, lemon juice, grapefruit juice and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       6. A beverage according to claim 5 wherein said juice is orange juice. 
     
     
       7. A beverage according to claim 6 having from 0% to about 4% (w/w) sensible pulp. 
     
     
       8. A beverage according to claim 7 where said fiber is derived from orange cellulosic material. 
     
     
       9. A beverage according to claim 8 wherein 90% of the particles of said fiber are less than 30 microns. 
     
     
       10. A beverage according to claim 9 wherein said flavor is orange essence and essence oil. 
     
     
       11. A beverage according to claim 10 wherein said flavor is a mixture of peel oil, aqueous essence and essence oil. 
     
     
       12. A beverage according to claim 11 comprising from 0.5% to 1.6% fiber. 
     
     
       13. A beverage concentrate comprising: (a) from about 2.0% to about 8.5% citrus fiber having a particle size of less than 50 microns, said fiber being derived from citrus cellulosic materials and having a total dietary content of from about 40 to about 80%;   (b) from about 8% to about 98% juice having a concentration of from 35° to 80° % Brix;   (c) from 0% to about 60% sweetener; and   (d) the remainder being water.   
     
     
       14. A beverage concentrate according to claim 13 additionally comprising from about 0.002% to about 3% added aqueous and oil essences or other flavorants. 
     
     
       15. A beverage concentrate according to claim 14 wherein said fiber consists essentially of: (a) from about 6% to about 45% soluble fiber;   (b) from about 17% to about 74% insoluble fiber;   (c) from about 10 to about 35% carbohydrates selected from the group consisting of fructose, glucose and sucrose;   (d) less than 1% fat; and   (e) from about 80% to about 90% total carbohydrate.   
     
     
       16. A beverage concentrate according to claim 15 wherein said juice is selected from the group consisting of citrus juices, apple juice, pear juice, cranberry juice and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       17. A beverage concentrate according to claim 16 wherein said juice is selected from the group consisting of orange juice, lemon juice, grapefruit juice and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       18. A beverage concentrate according to claim 17 wherein said juice is orange juice. 
     
     
       19. A beverage according to claim 18 where said fiber is derived from orange cellulosic material. 
     
     
       20. A process for making a beverage comprising: (a) adding from about 0.5% to about 4.0% citrus fiber having a particle size of less than 50 microns to from about 10% to about 99% juice by mixing at below temperature 65° C. with minimal shear;   (b) adding aroma and flavor volatiles to the fiber containing juice to produce a beverage.